Hello Anissa,

In this issue, we spotlight a range of initiatives that reflect our dedication to fostering educational achievement, career readiness, and community inclusivity.

Here’s what’s ahead in this newsletter:

• 🏅The Building Rural Community Systems initiative spearheaded by CivicLab, is highlighted by a significant $2.6 million investment from Ascendium Education Group and ECMC Foundation dedicated to enhancing education-to-employment pathways in rural areas.
• 👩‍💼 The Spring 2024 AirPark Columbus College Campus Career Fair will provide a vital link between educational paths and career opportunities, emphasizing our commitment to enhancing student connections to good regional careers and strengthening the region's workforce talent pipeline.
• 🎆 Celebrating diversity: The success of our Diversity Career Fair & Black Business Showcase, along with the Latino Formal, highlights our commitment to inclusivity.
• 🏫 We're actively supporting Black and Black-biracial youth with educational programs to encourage their journey toward higher education and careers.
• 👶Our efforts to expand and access to quality in early childhood education are making headway, evidenced by productive Town Hall Meetings and upcoming events for our young learners.

Expanding Capacity: CivicLab Launches National Rural Learning Systems Cohort

The "Building Rural Community Systems: Education to Employment Partnerships" initiative by CivicLab, supported by Ascendium Education Group and ECMC Foundation, aims to empower rural communities across the U.S. Through a $2.6 million investment, the initiative will support ten rural partnerships to develop strong education-to-employment pathways, enhancing local talent development ecosystems. This effort builds on CivicLab's experience in fostering community-centered approaches and cross-sector collaborations to ensure rural learners access to meaningful employment opportunities. Additional technical assistance will be provided to selected communities, emphasizing the unique needs and strengths of rural areas. This initiative marks a significant step towards creating sustainable employment pathways in rural communities, furthering CivicLab's commitment to systems-level change and community-specific solutions.

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Early Learning Coalition

Enhancing Early Learning: Community Dialogues and Future Strategies

Over 120 residents from Bartholomew, Jackson, and Jennings Counties participated in Town Hall Meetings focused on child care and early learning challenges and solutions, featuring insights from First Children’s Finance. Discussions centered on enhancing support for families and child care providers, exploring innovative partnerships, and strategies for attracting early childhood educators.

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Upcoming Child Care Town Hall Meetings (Facilitated in Spanish) in partnership with Su Casa.

• Wednesday, March 20th, 5:30-7:30pm Columbus, Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave. Columbus 97203

• Saturday, March 23rd, 9-11am, Community Agency Building, 113 N Chestnut St, Seymour, IN 47274

These sessions are part of a regional collaboration between the community foundations of Bartholomew, Jackson and Jennings Counties: Heritage Fund, Community Foundation of Jackson County and Jennings County Community Foundation, and were made possible with funding through a Lilly Endowment Inc. GIFT VIII regional planning grant. Additional partners include Child Care Network Inc., Community Education Coalition, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus, Jennings County School Corporation and Su Casa.

For any questions, contact Christine Waters, Early Learning Manager

Black & Black-biracial Youth Initiative

Explore Educational Pathways: College Campus Visit Day

Help us spread the word to Black and Black-biracial middle and high school students about a special day at Indiana University Bloomington and Indiana State University! They'll experience student panel discussions, campus tours, and free application opportunities. This is a chance to encourage them to explore and understand the value of higher education and workforce readiness.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Departure: 7:30 am @ Kroger, 3060 N National Rd, Columbus, IN 47201

For any questions contact Felicia Garr, Black and Black-biracial Youth Initiatives Manager

SAVE THE DATE

• "Education Matters” Thursday, May 23, 2024. 6:00 PM at Columbus Learning Center End of the school year meeting for Black and Black-Biracial parents/caregivers

• Umoja 'Unity' Day Coming in July 2024 — Designed for students in grades 7, 8, and 9. Details will be announced soon.

Thank you to all businesses, job seekers, and community members for making the "Diversity Career Fair & Black Business Showcase" a success! Your participation has greatly contributed to fostering inclusivity and growth in Columbus.

Read more about the event here

TuFuturo: Latino Education Coalition

The TuFuturo team was featured in an interview by Telemundo Indy, an Indianapolis-based television station, discussing their initiatives. Dive into their inspiring story by watching the video. (Note: Interview in Spanish)

Latino Formal: A Night of Cultural Celebration

TuFuturo proudly sponsored a Latino Formal, brilliantly organized by high school seniors Brittney Aguilar, Lisbet Aguilar, and Arturo Rueda, at the Foundation for Youth on March 1st. Through their senior project, the students demonstrated remarkable skills in event planning and teamwork, making a lasting impact on the community. TuFuturo is committed to empowering Latino youth and promoting cultural unity, with the Latino Formal exemplifying these values through student passion and creativity.

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For any questions, contact Luz E. Michel, Director of Latino Education and Outreach

Educational Pathways and Workforce Alignment

Spring 2024 AirPark Columbus College Campus Career Fair

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

10:30 AM—1:00 PM

First floor of the Columbus Learning Center

Over 50 businesses across Southeast Indiana will connect with talented and enthusiastic students from a variety of majors from Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, and Indiana University Columbus. To receive further information or to be placed on a waitlist in case of cancellations, contact akleiner@iu.edu,

The career fair planning team consists of representatives from Community Education Coalition, Ivy Tech Community College Career Link, Purdue Polytechnic, and IU Columbus Career Services.

[Interview] The Future of Opportunity: A Conversation with Harvard’s Joseph Fuller

[Report]  Talent Disrupted - College Graduates, Underemployment, and the Way Forward by Strada Education Foundation

Columbus Chamber Annual Meeting

April 2, 2024 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | The Commons

Black Poet Nate Marshall Reception

April 3, 2024 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm | The Commons

Organized by Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, Bartholomew County Public Library, the Bull Dog Alumni Association, The African American Foundation and the Columbus Area Arts Council. Read more about Poet Nate Marshall

Solar Eclipse 2024 Community Events

Now-April 8

Health Needs Assessment

Now-May 27

Please complete the Columbus Regional Health Community Health Needs Assessment, and share with your network.